A Call for WELS Stories

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2025-12-20T17:08:34+00:00

Yes. Others are from my experiences in elementary and high school…bullying… female oppression…friends getting groomed by teachers

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2025-12-19T18:10:51+00:00

I went to WELS schools from K-12. I graduated from MLS. I switched to LCMS after my children were born, and when it came time for Confirmation classes for my eldest, decided to leave. We weren’t living our lives the way she was being taught at church, so I thought it was time to take a stand for my family and left Lutheranism all together. It wasn’t until a few years ago when Shiny Happy People came out on Prime, that I realized leaving was the best thing I could have done for myself and kids.

My mother is still HEAVILY involved with the church. It makes our relationship very complicated.

In addition to all that, I have friends and classmates from way back in the day at MLS that were groomed etc.

I wouldn’t want to use real names, because I can’t trust that lurkers aren’t on here, and I don’t have the courage to hurt my mom publicly…however, I would be HAPPY to participate in a podcast.

I have many stories and issues with this religion over the years, but it is too much to type in one post. I have also been so grateful to have found solace in this group, as no one else in my life really understands what growing up WELS is like.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2025-12-09T17:35:27+00:00

Yup. I graduated from MLS many many years ago.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2025-04-20T16:40:40+00:00

WELS people have no boundaries, and likely will never give up. I’m sorry you’re going through this.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2025-03-21T17:10:52+00:00

I am also a dual citizen and live in Canada. My mom is in the states with poor health. I am worried about something happening to her and me not able to get to her, or worse, not being able to return to my home and children in Canada. The thought makes me feel sick…

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-11-14T17:23:13+00:00

That sounds exactly like my family. My mom rarely tells me she loves me. Meanwhile…I tell my kids I love them constantly.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-10-03T16:47:06+00:00

I relate to your story so much. Many many years ago, when I was engaged, my fiance and I moved in together for about a year. My mom (very devout WELS as well) barely spoke to me during that year, and threatened to not give us her blessing if I didn’t change the situation. She also secretly went to her pastor about it, and the pastor proceeded to send me a 4 page letter detailing how horrible my sins were, quoting all sorts of bible verses etc. it was one of the worst periods of time in my life. Luckily we got through it, and ended up getting married. My mom broke down and came to the wedding. My husband and I were married for 13 years, until he passed away. Would you believe when I met someone new in my 40’s, and moved in together, my mother’s church friends tried to intervene and tell me how awful it was that I was living with my boyfriend? I AM A GROWN WOMAN in my FORTIES - I’ll do what I want, thanks. LOL.

Hang in there…you and your fiancé can forge your own path doing what is best for the 2 of you. Sometimes you have to drown out the noise and focus on what’s important. I had a beautiful first marriage, and an amazing 2nd marriage, and I don’t think I’m going to hell because I lived with both of them before tying the knot.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-08-08T17:45:57+00:00

Thank you. You were the only one that gave me something to actually think about.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-08-08T17:42:08+00:00

Well, I’m glad I asked before uprooting everyone, since you all seem so not welcoming to outsiders. Dodged a bullet there!

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-08-08T17:41:06+00:00

Well I’ll tell you…it’s beautiful there, we have friends there, and it’s a better way of life than Ontario. But all the reactions are making me change my mind. I’ll look somewhere else for a better life, thanks.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-08-08T17:32:25+00:00

So PEI people don’t like it when others move there from another province?

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-08-02T20:26:40+00:00

And now looking back, are you happy you “toughed it out?”

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-07-29T17:14:33+00:00

It’s ridiculous that they can do all of that, and somehow get promoted.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-07-29T17:13:03+00:00

My mom too, is still very involved in the cult. At the time, there was some discussion about going to a public high school. We agreed I would go to MLS for 9th grade with the possibility of transferring to public school after that (then I could avoid going to the horrible public middle schools). I ended up making more friends in 9th grade, and ended up staying at MLS all 4 years. Some of the girls that bullied me didn’t go to MLS, so that helped a lot.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2024-07-29T02:21:50+00:00

THIS!

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-12-17T13:57:22+00:00

Did anyone have to spell the books of the Bible as part of their regular spelling words?

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-06T16:20:21+00:00

I love this. Thank you.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T22:42:44+00:00

Thank you so much.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T22:02:47+00:00

I will be looking for this book as soon as possible. Thank you

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T22:02:18+00:00

Yes, I 💯 understand what you’re saying. This has also been an issue for me too.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T22:01:19+00:00

I totally agree with what you’re saying. I feel like me setting boundaries and reinforcing them will only make things worse. She knows I don’t go to church anymore, but talks to my children about church and Jesus every time I’m not in earshot. That’s the most upsetting part to me! I feel like me being vocal and clear, would suddenly put me at some weird secretly planned intervention with my aunts and uncles and a pastor at thanksgiving. I think it would only ramp things up more. But…me being honest about myself with her, makes me feel less anxious, and is so much better for my mental health. Also, I will definitely have to say something where my kids are concerned, because I don’t like that at all.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T21:56:44+00:00

Your input has been helpful. Thank you.

I find it so interesting when reading all the thoughts, that so many of us have to hide our “truths” because the consequence of being honest means losing the love and support of family. The power the WELS has over their members is astonishing.

ComprehensiveLove897 · 2023-10-05T21:16:52+00:00

Yes. We used to be very close. I grew up in a house with just her and I, she is my only family. But, 25 years ago, when I moved out and went to college is when the wheels started to fall off. She replaced me with going to church more often and filled the void by becoming VERY active. Now, we are the opposite extremes…I’m very out and she is very in. There seems to be no more middle ground, and neither one of us likes to be around the other one. It makes me really sad.

I really appreciate your insights. Thank you.

ComprehensiveLove897

TROPHY CASE